Conference Championships with CFP Implications
The CFP is quickly approaching but before that, there are some key championship games that we must look at closer. The new 12-team playoff will certainly leave some teams asking how they were left out, and others asking how did they get in? This is definitely the dream of every college football fan as the drama builds. The biggest games of the college football season will be played on Friday and Saturday, so let's take a look at those and their impact on the CFP.
SEC Championship: 11-1 Texas Longhorns vs. 10-2 Georgia Bulldogs
A Texas win would ensure they get a top-four seed and have a first-round bye. They would certainly have a real shot to get to the final. Will Quinn Ewers bounce back and lead his team to a win after losing 30-15 earlier in the year to Georgia at home? That will be the question on Saturday as a much anticipated SEC Championship game gets underway.
A Georgia loss on the other hand could cause them to miss out on the CFP, depending on what happens elsewhere. This game also impacts a certain team named Alabama who can somehow get in with a Georgia loss. Alabama beat Georgia earlier in the year. A three-loss Alabama team with a 21-point loss to unranked Oklahoma could get into the CFP, just think about that.
ACC Championship: 11-1 SMU Mustangs vs. 9-3 Clemson Tigers
This game could set up to be one of the most interesting of the weekend. Can quarterback Cade Klubnik lead Clemson to a win that would shock everyone and have them get in as a three-loss team with a win? Will SMU continue their magical season and get in on a nine-game winning streak? We will have to see these teams face off on Saturday night.
Mountain West Championship: 11-1 Boise State Broncos vs. 10-2 UNLV Rebels
The Broncos of Boise State are at home for this championship game. They are coming into it with Heisman candidate, Ashton Jeanty, ready to cement his place in college football lore. However, a UNLV win here would change all of that. The Rebels, a team that no one even considered to be in the CFP conversation, could pull the upset and steal a bid. Boise State won’t go down without a fight though as a win for them would secure them a top-four spot and likely a first-round bye. This game is definitely shaping up to be a must-watch one.
Big Ten Championship: Oregon Ducks (12-0) v. Penn State (11-1)
The Big Ten Championship game would not have any effect on whether either team gets in, however, it could decide seeding. If Penn State were to lose, they could drop down to below a five-seed. They will still likely get a home playoff game in the first round which is huge. Penn State really has nothing to lose in this game, should be a heck of a game.
On the other hand, if the Oregon Ducks and Dillion Gabriel win, they can complete the 13-0 season. This would solidify them as the number one seed. The Ducks have been the best team in football all year, and a win here would put the league on notice. Oregon certainly is the favorite to win it all until they show otherwise.
